Golf cart, ATV talk may get pulled from special meeting

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Pen City Current Facebook poll has close to 1,000 votes cast with 61% opposing the ordinance

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - Almost as quickly as it was put on an agenda for Tuesday's special meeting, city officials now say discussion on an ordinance to allow golf carts and ATVs on most city streets may get nixed.

On Friday Fort Madison City Clerk Melinda Blind published an agenda for a special meeting Tuesday that included a public hearing on the 2nd to 6th street reconstruction of Old Hwy. 61, and a second reading of an ordinance to allow the special vehicles on city streets.

The first ordinance was passed 4-2 at Tuesday's regular city council meeting after about 20 minutes of debate. Councilman Mark Lair and Bob Morawitz voted against the addition to city code, while Councilman Chad Cangas abstained from casting a vote saying he wanted further deliberation.

All changes to city code require a minimum of two readings of new ordinances with the a third required, if not waived by a majority vote of the board, after approving the second reading.

Councilman Matt Mohrfeld, who re-introduced the idea of allowing the vehicles on city streets, calls the idea "Americana" and says past safety issues shouldn't stop the ordinance from passing.

Mohrfeld contends that safety issues in golf carts and ATVs are no different than safety issues facing motorcyclists and bicyclists and they are allowed on public streets.

Mohrfeld also cites recent approvals of the use of the special vehicles by Lee County and West Point. He said Tuesday more than half of the state is now allowing the vehicles on public streets.

Bob Morawitz, the most outspoken against the ordinance, said golf carts and ATVs are specifically labeled as not for street use. He said the use of the vehicles on city streets is against the wishes of a majority in town,

A recent Pen City Current Facebook poll posted Saturday evening has more than 950 votes cast with 609 not in favor of allowing the vehicles on public streets and 356 in favor of the ordinance.

The poll also garnered 60 comments in addition to the votes cast.

agenda, Fort Madison City Council, golf cart ordinance, Pen City Current, special meeting

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